Joseph Addison

I have indeed heard of heedless, inconsiderate writers that, without any malice, have sacrificed the reputation of their friends and acquaintance to a certain levity of temper, and a silly ambition of distinguishing themselves by a spirit of raillery and satire; as if it were not infinitely more honourable to be a good-​natured man than a wit. Where there is this little petulant humour in an author, he is often very mischievous without designing to be so. For which reason I always lay it down as a rule that an indiscreet man is more hurtful than an ill-​natured one; for as the one will only attack his enemies, and those he wishes ill to, the other injures indifferently both friends and foes.

Joseph Addison, Essays and Tales (Henry Morley, editor; 1888).